July 23, 2017

Before We Worship

Louis Armstrong’s 1967 hit “What a Wonderful World” paints a beautiful picture. “I see trees of green, red roses too. I see them bloom, for me and you. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.” Sadly, reality does not measure up to the song, and more often than not, we want to say, “What a crazy world!”

Our world is full of chaotic and ugly things. What is worse, however, is that mankind is not simply resigned to the harsh and unchangeable reality. Rather, we have accepted as normal the things that should never be accepted, and we pass laws to lend an air of moral legitimacy to celebrate all the wrong things. And we want to say, “What a terrible world!”

Psalm 93 is written for just such a time as this. For Ps 93 deals with how to live when the world around us is anything but beautiful. We learn, indeed, that syrupy sentimentality is not enough. Merely thinking positive about the world has no place when “The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.” Ps 93 here likens all the hurtful and sad things of the world to the destructive flood that wreaks havoc. Here is an honest confession, not pretending that people of faith are untouched by the ills of the world, but acknowledging that the flood of world’s raging dangers threaten to sweep us away.

But Psalm 93 also paints for us an immovable foundation to which we can anchor our souls when the floods come rushing towards us: God’s sovereign kingship! “The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.” The LORD's appearance describes his tasks. He wears the royal robe because he reigns as king, and he wears the belt of a ready warrior who has tucked in his robe for action.

Now see how our God reigns. “Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.” The LORD has established both the world and his throne, and reigns omnipotent and for ever. His sovereign kingship is the immovable foundation to which we can anchor our souls when the floods come raging. Indeed, we must. For there is no other firm foundation than God.

It is, then, not wishful sentimentality, but our confidence in God’s sovereign kingship, that enables us to say, “What a wonderful world!” For floods may come. But God reigns!

Call to Worship

Psalm 93 (reading responsively from TH p. 817)

Trinity Hymnal #94 “How Firm a Foundation”

Trinity Hymnal 731 “Doxology”

Prayer of Invocation

The Reading and Exposition of the Law

James 4:11–12 (p. 1013)

Prayer of Confession

The Proclamation of the Gospel

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” (Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV)

“My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” (Bulletin p. 10)

Confession of Faith The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who, for us and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets; and we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Presentation of Gifts and Offering

Pastoral Prayer

The Proclamation of God’s Word

Luke 13:10–21 (p. 872)

The Glorious Things Done by Him

Rev. Ken Han

The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper

We participate in the Lord’s Supper weekly. We welcome to the Lord’s Table all baptized believers who have sincere faith in Jesus Christ, and regularly worship in a Reformed or evangelical church.

The Lord’s Supper is a sign and a seal of the new covenant blessings. When we participate in the Lord’s Supper with faith, it strengthens our bond with our covenant Lord, Jesus Christ. Thus we participate properly when we come to our Savior with faith and repentance as we renew our resolve to forsake sin and live for his glory.

The Lord’s Supper also renews our bonds with God’s covenant community, the body of believers in the local church. As we receive the Lord’s Supper, we renew our pledge to give ourselves away in loving service.

During the distribution of the bread we will sing Trinity Hymnal #306 “Jesus, My Great High Priest” stanzas 1–2, and stanzas 3–4 during the distribution of the cup.